JET Airways will connect India and Vietnam for the first time come year-end, while also adding frequency on its Bangkok and Colombo routes.

From November, the carrier will commence daily flights from New Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok.

Jyoti Kapur, managing director of Vietrade Tours New Delhi, said: “(With the new air link) tourists will now find it easier to stay longer in Vietnam and travel to multiple destinations within it. With flight connectivity, Vietnam will become a stand-alone destination itinerary rather than be clubbed with the rest of Indochina or Thailand.”

Likewise, Sandhya Kartha, director of Redchilli Holidays Mumbai, commented: “Now we can build itineraries for longer stays in Vietnam as stopovers in other countries are not required. An immediate jump in traffic of 15 per cent is par for the course. Trade is increasing between the two countries so business travel is bound to grow.”

Jet Airways will also start a third daily Mumbai-Bangkok flight and a second daily Mumbai-Colombo flight in November.

Gaurang Shetty, senior vice-president – commercial, Jet Airways, said the airline is introducing an evening service due to increased demand.

Special roundtrip fares for the Colombo route starting at Rs17,000 (US$282) all-in are on offer until August 31.